THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3099, 23 January 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1879.

We do not often publish letters which hare appeared in other papers, but the letter of " Pakeha," copied into another column from Tuesday's Herald, treats of such an important matter that we offer no apology for placing it before our readers, many of whom do not see the journal to which it was forwarded and in which it has appeared. The settlement of the Native " difficulty " is a problem that has occupied the attention of successive Ministries, and will occupy many more before it is finally removed. It has so many ramifications; and is capable of assuming so many new phases, that its entire removal or eradication can only be affected by Time. But when any scheme is propounded, or any policy suggested, which is likely to direct matters into a groove which will accelerate settlement; tome proposal which, if acted upon, will mollify the irritation which the Maoris in their isolation naturally feel towards their conquerors, and give the latter a legitimate excuse for being generous without laying themselves open to a charge of weakness; we say that such scheme or proposal is worthy of attentive consideration. The union of the two races under one government and one code of lawg—the subversion of the imperium inimperio of Tawhiao—-is of more importance to the Colony than the retention of a few thousand acres of confiscated land. The letter of " Pakeha," which carefully and temperately states the existing condition of affairs regarding the Sing tribes and tho Government, appears to suggest such a remedy. It is a matter that requires to be dealt with very delicately, as the first advance towards giving back to the Waikato Natives any portion of land might be construed, by them as a prelude to acceding to the demand they have iterated for years— " Give us back Waikato." They, however, have been pretty well impressed with the fact that Waikato can never be theirs again as it once was. IP, however, the possession of some of the unsold portions of the land would induce the Waikatos to leave the hospitality of Ngatimuniapoto, it would be a step in the direction of breaking up the present King combination, and Rewi would be left to work out the regeneration of his people undeterred by the discontent of some of his followers, egged on by the gang of outlaws they have given refuge to. We do not give in our adhesion to the suggestions of " Pukeha" unreservedly or without qualification. We see :n the letter some

excellent ideas, founded on a knowledge of Natives, their present position, and relations with the Government. That the writer has enjoyed exceptional advantages is evident, aud we therefore the more readily give publicity to the ideas of one who evidently understands what he is writing about.